Hierarchical tags with community-based ratings

ABSTRACT

A method for generating and maintaining hierarchical tags with community-based ratings is provided. Tags for media streams are organized into a hierarchical format. Users may select tags from the hierarchical tag database that describes a particular multimedia content. If the user is unable to locate a desired tag, the user may submit a new tag. Upon submission of the new tag, a librarian approves the tag before storing and placing the tag in the hierarchical tag database. Users are also able to rate the quality of the association between the tag and the multimedia content. If a tag is rated low, the tag may be removed from the hierarchical tag database. If the tag is rated highly, display of the tag in a list of tags becomes more prominent.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS; PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a Continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 14/531,899, filed Nov. 3, 2014; whichclaims benefit as a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/433,647, filed Apr. 30, 2009; which claims benefit as acontinuation-in-part to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/121,619, filed May15, 2008, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application 60/930,419, filed May 15, 2007, the entirecontents of each are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposesas if fully set forth herein. The applicant hereby rescinds anydisclaimer of claim scope in the parent application(s) or theprosecution history thereof and advise the USPTO that the claims in thisapplication may be broader than any claim in the parent application(s).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to managing and processing tags.

BACKGROUND

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could bepursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previouslyconceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it shouldnot be assumed that any of the approaches described in this sectionqualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in thissection.

TV viewers may record broadcast TV programs using a videocassetterecorder (VCR). A VCR user is able to record a particular TV program atthe time the particular TV program is broadcast and play back the samerecorded TV program at a later time. A VCR records a TV program bychanging the electrical signals representing a TV program into magneticsignals and storing the magnetic signals on a magnetic tape. Themagnetic tape is usually in the form of a videocassette tape insertedinto the VCR by the VCR user. When a VCR user decides to play back theTV program, the process is reversed, and the VCR changes the magneticsignals stored on the videocassette tape into electrical signals andsends the electrical signals to a TV set for display.

With the development of digital technology, VCRs are being replaced bydigital video recorders (DVRs). A DVR records broadcast TV programs forlater playback by changing electrical signals of the TV program intodigital information and storing the digital information on a storagedevice. When a user plays back the recorded TV program, the DVR convertsthe digital information back to analog signals and sends the signals tothe TV set which displays the TV program for the viewer. In addition,with the advent of digital TVs, the DVR is able to receive digital andanalog signals and send digital signals directly to a digital TV setthat displays the TV program in digital form. Many content providers nowuse digital cable and satellite technology to broadcast digitalprogramming. The digital programming is received by cable boxes and/orsatellite transceivers that are used to display the digital programmingto a user on a display screen. DVRs thus have the ability to receivedigital programming signals from cable boxes or satellite transceiversfor recording and display as well as being incorporated into suchdevices.

If the DVR is successfully connected to a network, then the DVR is alsoable to store and display content that has been downloaded from thenetwork. For example, video content might be downloaded from theInternet from a variety of sources, such as CINet or nytimes.com. Aftera user has instructed the DVR to download particular content, the DVRrequests the download and once downloaded, stores the content for laterviewing by a user.

DVRs have become increasingly popular and widely used for storing anddisplaying all types of multimedia content. As the amount of contentavailable has increased, being able to search for and find desirablecontent has become increasingly important. Categorizing and labelingcontent for users and maintaining that information to ensure accuracyhelps in improving those searches. Thus, mechanisms that improve themanagement of labeling for multimedia content has become increasinglyimportant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for creating andprocessing hierarchical tags and community-based ratings data accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting a hierarchical tree structurecomprising tags, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a two-column graphical user interface thatmay be used with tag submission, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a search screen with a soft keyboard,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a search screen with a soft keyboard aftersearch letters have been entered by a user, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting a process for submitting tags,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting a process for community-based ragingof tags, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a system on which embodiments of theinvention may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however,that the present invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention.

Embodiments are described herein according to the following outline:

-   -   1.0 General Overview    -   2.0 Structural Overview    -   3.0 Methods for Hierarchical Tags with Community Based Ratings        -   3.1 Tags        -   3.2 Processing Tags        -   3.3 Community-Based Ratings        -   3.4 Illustrations of Tags and Community-Based Ratings    -   4.0 Example Embodiments    -   5.0 Implementation Mechanisms

1.0 General Overview

The needs identified in the foregoing Background, and other needs andobjects that will become apparent from the following description, areachieved in the present invention, which comprises methods to managehierarchical tags with community based ratings.

Tags, as used herein, are used to describe or label particularmultimedia content. The label might be applied to an individualtelevision episode or to an entire television series. The granularity oftags, or the section of the multimedia content to which the tag applies,may vary from implementation to implementation. For example, thetelevision series “24” might be tagged with the labels “espionage” or“suspense” to indicate the subject matter and genre of the series.Within the series, individual episodes might have their own labels toindicate a particular occurrence within the episode. For example, anepisode in the series “24” might be labeled “kidnapped” to indicate thata kidnapping occurs in the episode. Tags may also be used to indicate aparticular segment of a multimedia content and may contain descriptionsassociated with the particular segment. Within an episode of “24”, a tagmight indicate “gunfire” at the particular segment in the episode when ashoot out occurs. In an embodiment, the particular segment may refer toa duration within the multimedia content or a single point in time inthe multimedia content. For example, the tag for “gunfire” might referto a segment that lasts a total of 2:00 minutes, the duration of thegunfight scene. In another example, another tag might indicate an end tocredits or other single point in the multimedia content.

Tags may be used with any type of device that is capable of displayingvideo. These devices include, but are not limited to, portable devices,DVD players, and other devices able to display video in any type offormat. Some examples of video formats include, but are not limited toMPEG-2, MPEG-4, NTSC, and ATSC. Portable devices might include, are notlimited to, portable DVD players, PDAs, smartphones, and any otherportable device capable of displaying video.

Tags may originate from a variety of sources. Content providers, thirdparty editors, service providers, or users themselves are examples orsources that may insert tags to describe or label a particularmultimedia content. Content providers may wish to control their contentcompletely by including tags that the content provider wishes the viewerto see. Third party editors may wish to add tags as a service and chargeservice providers for the additional information that is added to themultimedia content. Third party editors generally provide a level ofeditorial quality and impartiality so that the quality of tags may bemaintained across all multimedia content. Service providers may alsoinclude tags with multimedia content to help viewers find specificprograms or to add advertisements to media streams.

Tags that originate from the user community present the mostpossibilities for adding tags to content quickly and with a wide varietyof points-of-view. Large segments of users may wish to add tags to aparticular multimedia content. However, a variety of problems may occur.For example, tags might not accurately reflect the multimedia content.This might occur because a user may wish to insert a tag to a multimediacontent but inadvertently apply the tag to the incorrect multimediacontent. In another example, tags submitted might be deemedinappropriate or offensive to other viewers. However, allowing users totag media content themselves presents information to other users may begreatly valued.

In community-based tagging systems, users are encouraged to freelysubmit labels for a particular multimedia content that may describe orlabel the particular multimedia content. Tags may be used to describethe particular multimedia content as a whole or may be used to mark aspecific part of the particular media stream, depending upon thegranularity sought. For example, a label might be submitted for themovie “Star Wars” labeled “bar” for a particular scene that takes placein an intergalactic bar. In another example, a label might be submittedfor a football game labeled “touchdown” to mark the time in thebroadcast where a play resulting in a touchdown is run. In anembodiment, the user is able to select whether the tag submitted is tobe applied to the whole multimedia content or just a portion of themultimedia content.

There may be a dictionary of tags from which users select from storedtags or free form tags, where users write out and submit all tags. Infree form tags, users are required to type in the exact label of the tagthat the users wish to apply to a particular section of the mediacontent. Thus, when a user wants to enter any tag to a show, the usermust type out the tag each time a tag is submitted. This presents manyproblems. One problem with requiring users to type in a label each timeis that this might lead to tag misspellings that leads to minorvariations on the same tag causing confusion and possible errors whenanalyzing the tags submitted. For example, for the show “24,” usersmight submit tags to indicate that a gunfight occurs. Users might submitmany similar tags to indicate the same action. “Guns”, “gunfire,”“gunfight,” and “shooting” might all be submitted for the same gunfightscene. In addition, users may misspell their submissions. “Gunfit,”“gunfigt,” and “gunfite” might all be submitted when the user intendedto add the tag “gunfight.” Each one of these entries may lead toseparate tag entries.

In addition, typing in tags each time may lead to tags that some usersmay deem to be offensive. By not closely monitoring editorial content,as may occur with community-based tagging, tags that some users feel areoffensive may be applied to multimedia content. One other drawback ofthis scheme is that there is an increased barrier to submitting tagsbecause typing in tags may be cumbersome with on-screen keyboards for TVapplications of media devices. For example, many media devices do notcome equipped with a physical keyboard and instead users must use anon-screen keyboard, or soft keyboard, that is controlled by a remoteinput device. Each of the letters is located on the screen of thedisplay device and users select each letter to input the tag.

Community-based tagging systems may be hierarchical or be a flat system.Hierarchical tags allow the system to suggest closely related content toa tag. For example, if a tag is searched, such as “slapstick,” and verylittle results are returned, then a hierarchical system might suggestother closely related tags. Other tags, such as “satire” or “irony”might also be suggested since these are other categories of comedy, ofwhich “slapstick” is a part. Thus, hierarchical tags also may allow auser to find media content that the user wishes. A flat system would notbe able to offer any guidance to the user.

2.0 Structural Overview

Referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment, a system formaintaining hierarchical tags with community based ratings is shown. Thesystem contains DVRs 102A and 102B, which are each communicativelycoupled to Network 105 through any proper communication interface, suchas an Ethernet or wireless communications port.

Further, the system also includes Data Processing Engine 104, Database106, Service Provider 108 and Content Provider 110. The components ofsystem 100 communicate through Network 105.

Network 105 may be implemented by any medium or mechanism that providesfor the exchange of data between devices in the communication system.Examples of Network 105 include, without limitation, a network such as aLocal Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Ethernet or theInternet, or one or more terrestrial, satellite or wireless links.Alternatively, or in addition, any number of devices connected toNetwork 105 may also be directly connected to each other through acommunications link.

In one embodiment, DVRs 102A and 102B communicate with Service Provider108, which provides program guide data, graphical resources (such asfonts and pictures), service information, software, advertisements,tags, and other forms of data that enable DVRs 102A, 102B to operateindependently of Service Provider 108 to satisfy viewer interests.Additionally, Service Provider 108 may provide DVRs 102A and 102B withtags for video programs.

Content Provider 110 provides multimedia program content directly toDVRs 102A and 102B through over-the-air broadcasts, satellitetransmissions, coaxial cable, or through the Network 105. The multimediaprogram content includes, but is not limited to, feature-length movies,sitcoms, variety shows, talk shows, or advertisements.

According to another embodiment, Content Provider 110 provides mediasynchronization data that may include metadata (that identifiesprograms, series, or segments and single points in a program),promotional data, icons, web data, and other information. The mediasynchronization data may be provided to Service Provider 108 fortransfer to DVRs 102A and 102B. Service Provider 108 receives the tagsand allows DVRs to receive and process the tags for use with anassociated multimedia content. In another embodiment, Content Provider110 provides tag data directly to DVRs 102A and 102B.

According to an embodiment, DVRs 102A and 102B, alone or in combination,are used to submit tags. The tags are supplied through Network 105 toDatabase 106, which collects and stores tags associated with variousprograms and multimedia content originating from multiple devices.Database 106 may be any form of data storage, such as a traditionaldatabase system. According to another embodiment, the tags created byContent Provider 110 and Service Provider 108 are stored by Database106.

Data Processing Engine 104 retrieves tags from Database 106 and isresponsible for examining the data to perform various functions. Forexample, the Data Processing Engine 104 analyzes selected tags fromDatabase 106 in order to identify common characteristics within aplurality of the tags. By identifying the common characteristics of thetags, the Data Processing Engine 104 may identify distinct segments of avideo program, including commercial breaks and other events that may beof interest to DVR users.

3.0 Methods for Hierarchical Tags with Community-Based Tagging

Providing users with a centrally managed but community maintainedhierarchical tagging system would improve on limitations of only flattagging structures (e.g. no offers of suggestions to the user). In anembodiment, a community of users is responsible for submitting tags toparticular content and a service provider maintains a set of tag labelsthat may be applied to content in a hierarchical schema. Under thiscircumstance, the service provider maintains a database of tags fromwhich a user may select a term. Maintaining a set of tags (tagdictionary) also removes the possibility of misspellings and minorvariations of the same word. If a user wishes to submit a tag, then theuser chooses a tag that is already present in the database of tags.

In an embodiment, a hierarchical structure may be described as a treetype structure comprising nodes, an illustration of which is included asFIG. 2. Each node may contain a value and has zero or more child nodes,which are below the current node in the tree. A node that has a child iscalled the child's parent node. Each node has at most one parent. Thetopmost node in a tree is called the root node 201 and has no parents.All other nodes may be reached from the root node by following links toa succeeding node. Nodes that do not have children are called leafnodes. In another embodiment, the hierarchical structure refers to atree data structure where nodes are not limited to a single parent. Forexample, the structure may be a directed acyclic graph, or DAG. Underthis circumstance, a child node may have multiple parents and asub-category might be under more than a single category (i.e., “romanticcomedy” may be under the categories “romance” and “comedy”).

3.1 Tags

In an embodiment, the database of tags is maintained in a hierarchicalsystem. With tags having a hierarchical structure, a more systematicapproach may be applied to the selection of tags. More generic words areplaced higher in the hierarchy, and the detail of the words increase asone goes down the hierarchy. This is shown in FIG. 2. For example, ahierarchy may have the general terms “drama” and “comedy” in nodes 203and 205 near the top of the hierarchy. If a user selects “comedy”, thereare more detailed selections such as, but not limited to, “romanticcomedy” 211, “slapstick” 209, and “dark humor” (not shown). Details andfurther selections are available as the user navigates further down intothe hierarchy. For “drama” node 203, more detailed selections arerepresented by child nodes 207. For “slapstick” node 209, more detailedselections are represented by child nodes 213. For “romantic comedy”node 211, more detailed selections are represented by child nodes 215.The child nodes comprise more detailed labels. These child nodes mayhave more children, depending on the level of detail contained in thehierarchical structure.

3.2 Processing Tags

In an embodiment, if a user is unable to find a term that satisfies hisintent, the user may submit a new tag. The user may also identify atleast one parent node for placement of the tag in the hierarchy. In anembodiment, the service provider accepts tags as submitted by the usersand makes no changes to the tags prior to including the tag in the tagdatabase. In another embodiment, the service provider receives the tagsas submitted and then makes a decision as whether to include the newlysubmitted tag in the tag database. The service provider may determinewhether the newly submitted tag is a duplicate or misspelling of anexisting tag. The service provider may also determine whether thesubmitted tag is mis-categorized or offensive. Mis-categorizations aredifficult to determine if one is not familiar with the content that isbeing labeled. Under this circumstance, only blatant mis-categorizationsmay be removed. For example, a label of “blood and guts” may be removedif the term was submitted for a children's show that does not containsuch content, such as “Dora the Explorer.”

In an embodiment, the process of screening newly submitted terms fortags is automated or performed by persons. As used herein, a “librarian”is one who is given the task to edit newly submitted tags by approvingthe tags for inclusion in the database or removing the tag from use. Tagapproval may take many forms. The librarian may only be tasked to findand remove obvious offensive words and leave all other tags for entry.The librarian may choose to approve a tag only for specific mediacontent. Under this circumstance, any tag approved by the librarian mayonly be applied to other episodes of the multimedia content to which thetag submitted applies. Thus, if a tag is submitted for the televisionshow “24”, then the tag is only available for other episodes of “24” andnot to any other multimedia content. The librarian may be a trainedperson, automated, or a hybrid. In an embodiment, a hybrid system isused where newly submitted tags are first approved after a reviewthrough an automated process. The automated process may only search formisspellings and offensive words. If the tag passes the automatedprocess, a live person then checks the submitted tag for inclusion inthe tag database. In an embodiment, if a newly submitted tag is approvedby the service provider, the tag is added to the hierarchy of tags inthe database and thus made available to the tagging community to freelyuse. The librarian may also determine whether the tag should beassociated with multiple parent nodes. For example, the tag “spacemonsters” was submitted as a child of the parent node “science fiction.”The librarian might determine that “space monsters” should also be achild node of the node “horror” and place the tag with the parent node“horror” as well.

Community tagging of media content may be performed through a number ofmechanisms. In an embodiment, new tags are submitted by web page to beincluded in the hierarchical tag database. For example, a serviceprovider might already allow users to submit a request for recordingfrom the service provider's web site. In order to submit a recordingrequest, the user navigates to the service provider's website, logs onto his account, and then submits the recording request. In anembodiment, a new function is introduced whereby the user is able tosubmit tags for media content from his web page account. The submissionsvia web site may be limited to new labels for tags to be included withthe hierarchical database for tags. Alternatively, submissions may bemade using tags only included in the hierarchical database for tags. Inan embodiment, a user is shown tags that already exist and the user isable to make a selection from those tags. If the tag that the userwishes to use is not present, then the user may submit a request to havethe new tag included in the database.

A user is not limited to only submitting tags for media content usingthe service provider's web site. In an embodiment, the user is able tosearch for particular media content based upon tags associated with themultimedia content. For example, a search for any multimedia contentthat contains the tag “espionage” might return, among other things,“24”, and “James Bond” movies. In another embodiment, the search maylocate segments or points within media content. For example, a usermight submit a search to locate a program with “49ers” with segmentslabeled “touchdown.” This search would find “49ers” programs withsegments where a touchdown occurs. Searching and viewing tags mayprovide the user more methods in which to search and find particularmultimedia content and also, in the alternative, avoid media contentthat is associated with a particular tag.

In an embodiment, users may submit tag requests via mobile devices.Mobile devices comprise any device that is portable and includes, but isnot limited to, mobile phone, smartphones, PDAs, tablet PCs, and laptopcomputers. Using any of these mobile devices, users may submit tagsbased on existing tags in the hierarchical database or add new tags forinclusion in the database. A user may also search the tags to findmultimedia content for later viewing.

In an embodiment, potential new tags are submitted by users via theuser's media device. The media device may be a DVR, personal computer,cable or satellite set top box, or any other device that is able todisplay or store multimedia content. With media devices, tagging may beintegrated into an existing graphical user interface or a separateapplication may be developed.

In an embodiment, an application for tags comprises a user interfacedisplaying two columns, wherein user selected tag categories aredisplayed on the left column, and possible sub-categories are displayedon the right column. An example of this is shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 showsan example of a two-column interface for a submission on the show “24.”Two categories are shown on the left column, “comedy” 300 and “drama”302. When a selection is highlighted, such as “drama” 302, thensub-categories of “drama” appear in the right column. This may be seenwith “suspense” 304, “action-adventure” 306, and “tragedy” 308. When auser selects a subcategory from the right column, the selectedsubcategory moves to the left column, and new subcategories are listedon the right column. This process continues until the user has found thetag he wishes and submits, or until the subcategory column is exhausted.In an embodiment, to enable quickly jumping through the category list,any type of predictive typing process may be used. For example, T9 oriTap, which are predictive text processes for mobile phones, may beadapted for use with the media device.

In another embodiment, the tagging application user interface displays asoft keyboard on the left and a search ahead match list on the right. Anexample of such a screen with a soft keyboard, as integrated into SwivelSearch (as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/121,619 andincorporated by reference herein), is shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4 is thesearch screen for Swivel Search 400. A soft keyboard 452 allows user toenter letters to spell search terms. Results appear on the right side ofthe screen and match the corresponding letters entered by the user.

FIG. 5 displays the Swivel Search screen after a couple of letters areentered by a user. In this example, actors, multimedia content, and tagsappear. In other embodiments, results may be limited to just tags. InFIG. 5, screen area 500 is where letters appear after a user beginssubmitting letters. The user has entered the letters “GA”. Results 504appear on the right side of the screen and match the correspondingletters. For example, the tag “gambling” 502 appears as the user hasentered the letters “GA” that correspond to the first two letters of“gambling.”

To inform the user of their location within the tag hierarchy, a tagpath may appear at the top of the screen. A tag path is a sequence ofwhere a node is contained in a hierarchy. For example, in the hierarchyshown in FIG. 2, the tag path to “romantic comedy” would be“/comedy/romantic comedy.” Each path starts from the root node andtraverses nodes until the current node is listed. In an embodiment, asthe user finds categories and selects a tag, the tags are added to a tagpath that may be displayed on the top of the screen until the userreaches a leaf tag.

Existing tag associations for a particular section of multimedia contentmay be viewed via existing applications or new applications. Forexample, an existing application, such as swivel search, may be modifiedto include tags and tag submissions. In another embodiment, a tagbrowsing application may be developed separately to providefunctionality that may not be possible by using existing applications.

In order to help maintain tags, the user submitting a tag may beassociated with the tag. In an embodiment, when a tag is associated witha piece of content, the identity of the first user to associate that tagis recorded along with the association. In another embodiment, when atag is associated with a piece of content, the identity of any user toassociate the tag is recorded along with the association. By includingthis information in the tag, especially adept users may be found byusers searching for other tags by that submitting user. In addition,users who submit poor tags may be identified and not allowed futuresubmission.

Privacy of the user associated with the tag must also be considered.Submitting users may not wish other users to view the submitting user'sinformation and so request that his information is not shown. In anembodiment, the user identification is publicly visible to others. Inanother embodiment, the user identification is only used for internalbookkeeping purposes and not identifiable to others.

3.3 Community-Based Ratings

In order to improve the quality of the tag associations, users may alsobe given the ability to rate the tag association. These ratings may thenbe used to place more highly rated tags higher in search list for tagsor to remove poorly rated tags. In an embodiment, users rate a tagassociation using a remote device. For example, for DVRs, a user mightrate tag associations using a thumbs up (indicating a good tagassociation) or thumbs down (indicating a bad tag association) button.In other embodiment, different types of rating terms may be used. Thedifferent types of rating systems may vary, and includes, but is notlimited to, letter grades (A-F), numerical scores (1-5), or word grades(“bad”, “good”, “very good”).

As an example of ratings, tags might be submitted and added for thetelevision series “24.” Users who view the tags rate the tag “espionage”very highly. In addition, the tag “comedy,” has also been submitted forthe series. Users might rate this tag association as very poor. Underthis circumstance, when tags are shown for the series “24,” the tag“espionage” would appear very high on the list and the tag “comedy”might appear at the bottom or be removed entirely from the list of tags.

The total number of ratings, along with a quality score, or net rating,may be recorded with the tag association in order to determine thequality of the tag. As used herein, a net rating may be defined as asingle value that indicates ratings submitted regarding a particulartag. In an embodiment, a net rating is the total sum of the ratingswhere each thumbs up is (+1) and each thumbs down is (−1), divided bythe total number of ratings. Any other calculation may be performed thatindicates the overall ratings submitted for a particular tag. Forexample, the calculations may simply be the sum total of all tags whereeach thumbs up is (+1) and each thumbs down is (−1). Outlying ratingsmay be eliminated if the rating does not fit within a specified standarddeviation.

A rating submitted by a user referencing a tag may also be weighted ornon-weighted. In an embodiment, the rating on a particular tag may beweighted by the reliability of the user who submitted the rating. Underthis circumstance, the reliability of the user is determined by othercommunity ratings of that user's tags and a user of high reliabilitywould be given more weight than a user of low reliability. Thereliability of the user is given a value that is then calculated withthe rating to provide a weighted rating. In an embodiment, in order tolimit the ability of a particular user from skewing the ratings, usersare allowed to rate a tag association only a specified number of times.For example, ratings for tag associations may be limited to only one peruser per tag association. Limiting a rating to only one per user may beaccomplished by recording a user identification of a user as the ratingof the tag association is received. An administrator may then set thenumber of times each user may submit ratings per tag association.However, a user may be given the ability to change a rating that hasbeen submitted.

Display of Tags to Viewers

In an embodiment, the display of tags associated with a particularmultimedia content is based upon the ratings for the tags. In anembodiment, the following algorithm may be used: if there are many tagassociations for a single price of multimedia content, only display thetop N rated associations, where N=a specified number. This number may be5 or 10, depending on the average number of ratings received for tags.In other embodiments, other algorithms that process ratings with tagsmay be used to affect the display and position of tags for a multimediacontent.

In an embodiment, to simplify how a user may determine whether a tag ishighly rated, graphical indicator icons are placed in proximity to thetag. For example, thumb rating icons might be shown next to tagassociations based on community ratings. The display of thumb icons maycorrelate with the net rating of the tag. Under this circumstance, nothumbs are shown if the net rating for the tag is <=0, a singlethumbs-up is shown is the net rating is greater than 0. Two thumbs-upare displayed if the net rating is greater than the number of ratingsmultiplied by ⅓. Three thumbs-up are displayed if the net rating of thetag is greater than the number of ratings multiplied by ⅔. In anembodiment, thumbs are displayed or may not be displayed based uponspecified values of the net ratings. As opposed to the first examplewhere thumb icons are always shown, a net rating close to zero may yieldno thumbs shown. As an example, a net rating<⅙ displays no thumbs, ⅙<netrating<½ displays one thumb, ½<net rating<⅚ displays two thumbs, and⅚<net rating displays three thumbs. Other values to determine thegraphical indicator displayed may also be specified.

In another embodiment, graphical indicator icons may not be shown if thenumber of ratings is below a threshold value. For example, a thumbrating may be displayed only if at least five ratings are receivedreferencing the tag. Finally, tags may also be removed based upon poorratings. In an embodiment, a tag is removed is the net rating of the tagis less than the number of ratings multiplied by ⅓.

This community policing of tags using ratings keeps the tag associationsrelevant and valuable in the database. Performing the acts of thumbrating tag associations, recording the submitting user of the tag, andallowing only a single rating per user to be stored on a givenassociation leverages the statistical intelligence of the community ofusers to ensure that tags are correctly applied and bad behavior iscurbed. In an embodiment, a user may change the rating submitted. Underthis circumstance, a user may submit a second rating for a particulartag association. A confirmation screen may appear that states that thesecond rating takes the place of the original rating.

In an embodiment, to assist in community policing, automated mechanismsare applied to the community rating information. In particular, tagassociations with a high rating migrate to the top of the list for bothtags associated with content and content associated with tag searches.In an embodiment, a tag is not displayed at all if the net rating of thetag is below a specified threshold. The threshold may vary fromimplementation to implementation. For example, tags might not bedisplayed if the net rating is more than ⅓ negative for the tag. In anembodiment, the user who submitted a tag that achieves a negative ratingis flagged as a potential tagging abuser. Flagging may occur only if aminimum specified number of negative ratings are received. In addition,the reliability of the user submitting negative ratings may be givenmore weight if the user is rated reliable by the community.

Methods are used to curb the tagging abuser. In an embodiment, if a userreceives more than N abuse flags, where N is some specified number, theuser is silently banned from the tagging system. Such a ban means thatthe user is no longer able to suggest, associate, or rate tags. Theinformation that the user submits is simply ignored. In an embodiment,to avoid bad feelings and customer support calls, no notification isgiven to the user. In an embodiment, the librarian may, at hisdiscretion, purge all tag associations created by the banned user. In anembodiment, the librarian may, also at his, manually ban or unban anyuser.

3.4 Illustrations of Tags and Community-Based Ratings

Referring now to FIG. 6, a flow diagram depicting a process for creatingand processing tags is shown in accordance with an embodiment. In step602, a user or other entity using a control device wishes to enter a tagby viewing existing tags in the hierarchical tag database. If thedesired tag is included in the hierarchical tag database, then the userselects the tag and the database records the request, as shown in step604. If the desired tag is not found, the user submits a new tag forentry into the database in step 606. In step 608, a librarian approvesor disapproves the submitted tag for entry into the database. In step610, the tag is stored in the database if the tag is approved with thelocation in the hierarchical database determined by the librarian. Inaddition, the identity of the user submitting the tag is stored inassociation with the tag. In step 612, the tag is discarded if thelibrarian does not approve of the tag. If the new tag is stored, otherusers may view the tag in the database.

FIG. 7 displays a flow diagram depicting a process for processingcommunity-based ratings according to an embodiment. In step 702, anassociation between a tag and a multimedia content is selected forrating by a user. Next, the user enters a rating for tag using thumbs-upfor ‘good’ or thumbs-down for ‘bad’ in step 704. Users are limited toonly submitting one rating per association. A net rating of theassociation is calculated for all ratings submitted in step 706. Iconsare associated with the rating based upon the net rating in step 708. Instep 710, tags are listed based at least in part to the net rating andmay be removed based upon the net rating. Finally, in step 712, a usermay be flagged as a tag abuser if the net rating for his submitted tagis poor. Assignment of a specified number of abuse flags may remove theuser from submitting any future information.

4.0 EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Additional example embodiments are set forth for illustrative purposesin the following numbered clauses.

1. A method, comprising: receiving, at a server, a plurality ofcandidate tags from a plurality of users indicating particular aspectsof multimedia content; determining whether a particular candidate tag,of the plurality of candidate tags, reflects the particular aspects ofthe multimedia content; upon determining that the particular candidatetag does not reflect the aspects of the multimedia content, discardingthe particular candidate tag; and upon determining that the particularcandidate tag does reflect the aspects of the multimedia content,storing the particular candidate tag.

2. The method of Clause 1, wherein storing the particular tag furthercomprises: determining where, in a hierarchy of previously stored tags,the particular candidate tag is to be stored; and storing the particularcandidate tag in the hierarchy.

3. The method of Clause 1, wherein storing the tag further comprisesassociating an identification of the one or more users who submitted thetag.

4. The method of Clause 1, wherein candidate tags from users are inputvia a remote media device.

5. The method of Clause 2, further comprising: displaying to a user,possible tags that may be submitted based upon the tags stored in thehierarchy; receiving a selection of one of the possible tags indicatingparticular aspects of multimedia content; and storing the selection ofthe tag and the associated multimedia content.

6. The method of Clause 1, further comprising: receiving ratings fromusers indicating a quality of a tag and the associated multimediacontent; calculating a quality score based at least upon the ratingsfrom the users; removing the tag if the quality score of the tag isbelow a specified threshold; and displaying the tag if the quality scoreof the tag is above the specified threshold.

7. The method of Clause 6, wherein tags rated highly are displayed moreprominently upon a search.

8. The method of Clause 6, wherein the quality score is calculated fromratings that are weighted based upon a reliability value of the usersubmitting the rating.

9. The method of Clause 1, wherein tags identify a particular segment orpoint of a multimedia content.

10. The method of Clause 1, wherein determining where, in a hierarchy ofpreviously stored tags, the particular candidate tag is to be stored,further comprises receiving user command input identifying one or moreparent nodes to which the candidate tag is a child.

11. An apparatus, comprising: a candidate tag receiving component thatreceives a plurality of candidate tags from a plurality of usersindicating particular aspects of multimedia content; an candidate taganalysis component that determines whether a particular candidate tag,of the plurality of candidate tags, reflects the particular aspects ofthe multimedia content; a candidate tag removal component that upondetermining that the particular candidate tag does not reflect theaspects of the multimedia content, discards the particular candidatetag; and a candidate tag storing component that stores the particularcandidate tag.

12. The apparatus of Clause 11 wherein the candidate tag storingcomponent further comprises a candidate tag hierarchy placementcomponent that determines where, in a hierarchy of previously storedtags, the particular candidate tag is to be stored; and the candidatetag storing component storing the particular candidate tag in thehierarchy.

13. The apparatus of Clause 11, wherein the candidate tag storingcomponent further comprises associating an identification of the userwho submitted the tag.

14. The apparatus of Clause 11, wherein candidate tags from users areinput via a remote media device.

15. The apparatus of Clause 11, further comprising: a display componentthat displays to a user, possible tags that may be submitted based uponthe tags stored in the hierarchy; a selection receiving component thatreceives a selection of one of the possible tags indicating particularaspects of multimedia content; and a selection tag storing componentthat stores the selection of the tag and the associated multimediacontent.

16. The apparatus of Clause 11, further comprising: a rating receivingcomponent that receives ratings from users indicating the quality of atag and the associated multimedia content; a quality calculationcomponent that calculates a quality score based at least upon theratings from the users; a tag removal component that removes the tag ifthe quality score of the tag is below a specified threshold; and adisplay component that displays the tag if the quality score of the tagis above the specified threshold.

17. The apparatus of Clause 16, wherein tags rated highly are displayedmore prominently upon a search.

18. The apparatus of Clause 16, wherein the quality score is calculatedfrom ratings that are weighted based upon a reliability value of theuser submitting the rating.

19. The apparatus of Clause 11, wherein tags identify a particularsegment or point of a multimedia content.

20. The apparatus of Clause 12, further comprising a user inputreceiving component that receives user command input identifying one ormore parent nodes to which the candidate tag is a child.

5.0 Implementation Mechanisms

According to one embodiment, the techniques described herein areimplemented by one or more special-purpose computing devices. Thespecial-purpose computing devices may be hard-wired to perform thetechniques, or may include digital electronic devices such as one ormore application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs) that are persistently programmed toperform the techniques, or may include one or more general purposehardware processors programmed to perform the techniques pursuant toprogram instructions in firmware, memory, other storage, or acombination. Such special-purpose computing devices may also combinecustom hard-wired logic, ASICs, or FPGAs with custom programming toaccomplish the techniques. The special-purpose computing devices may bedesktop computer systems, portable computer systems, handheld devices,networking devices or any other device that incorporates hard-wiredand/or program logic to implement the techniques.

For example, FIG. 8 is a block diagram that illustrates a computersystem 800 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.Computer system 800 includes a bus 802 or other communication mechanismfor communicating information, and a hardware processor 804 coupled withbus 802 for processing information. Hardware processor 804 may be, forexample, a general purpose microprocessor.

Computer system 800 also includes a main memory 806, such as a randomaccess memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to bus 802for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor804. Main memory 806 also may be used for storing temporary variables orother intermediate information during execution of instructions to beexecuted by processor 804. Such instructions, when stored in storagemedia accessible to processor 804, render computer system 800 into aspecial-purpose machine that is customized to perform the operationsspecified in the instructions.

Computer system 800 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 808 orother static storage device coupled to bus 802 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processor 804. A storage device 810,such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus802 for storing information and instructions.

Computer system 800 may be coupled via bus 802 to a display 812, such asa cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user.An input device 814, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupledto bus 802 for communicating information and command selections toprocessor 804. Another type of user input device is cursor control 816,such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicatingdirection information and command selections to processor 804 and forcontrolling cursor movement on display 812. This input device typicallyhas two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and asecond axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in aplane.

Computer system 800 may implement the techniques described herein usingcustomized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and/orprogram logic which in combination with the computer system causes orprograms computer system 800 to be a special-purpose machine. Accordingto one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by computersystem 800 in response to processor 804 executing one or more sequencesof one or more instructions contained in main memory 806. Suchinstructions may be read into main memory 806 from another storagemedium, such as storage device 810. Execution of the sequences ofinstructions contained in main memory 806 causes processor 804 toperform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments,hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination withsoftware instructions.

The term “storage media” as used herein refers to any media that storedata and/or instructions that cause a machine to operation in a specificfashion. Such storage media may comprise non-volatile media and/orvolatile media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical ormagnetic disks, such as storage device 810. Volatile media includesdynamic memory, such as main memory 806. Common forms of storage mediainclude, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, solidstate drive, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic data storage medium, aCD-ROM, any other optical data storage medium, any physical medium withpatterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, anyother memory chip or cartridge.

Storage media is distinct from but may be used in conjunction withtransmission media. Transmission media participates in transferringinformation between storage media. For example, transmission mediaincludes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including thewires that comprise bus 802. Transmission media can also take the formof acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-waveand infra-red data communications.

Various forms of media may be involved in carrying one or more sequencesof one or more instructions to processor 804 for execution. For example,the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk or solidstate drive of a remote computer. The remote computer can load theinstructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over atelephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 800 canreceive the data on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitterto convert the data to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector canreceive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriatecircuitry can place the data on bus 802. Bus 802 carries the data tomain memory 806, from which processor 804 retrieves and executes theinstructions. The instructions received by main memory 806 mayoptionally be stored on storage device 810 either before or afterexecution by processor 804.

Computer system 800 also includes a communication interface 818 coupledto bus 802. Communication interface 818 provides a two-way datacommunication coupling to a network link 820 that is connected to alocal network 822. For example, communication interface 818 may be anintegrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellitemodem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to acorresponding type of telephone line. As another example, communicationinterface 818 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a datacommunication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also beimplemented. In any such implementation, communication interface 818sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals thatcarry digital data streams representing various types of information.

Network link 820 typically provides data communication through one ormore networks to other data devices. For example, network link 820 mayprovide a connection through local network 822 to a host computer 824 orto data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 826.ISP 826 in turn provides data communication services through the worldwide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the“Internet” 828. Local network 822 and Internet 828 both use electrical,electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. Thesignals through the various networks and the signals on network link 820and through communication interface 818, which carry the digital data toand from computer system 800, are example forms of transmission media.

Computer system 800 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link 820 and communicationinterface 818. In the Internet example, a server 830 might transmit arequested code for an application program through Internet 828, ISP 826,local network 822 and communication interface 818.

The received code may be executed by processor 804 as it is received,and/or stored in storage device 810, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution.

In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have beendescribed with reference to numerous specific details that may vary fromimplementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicatorof what is the invention, and is intended by the applicants to be theinvention, is the set of claims that issue from this application, in thespecific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequentcorrection. Any definitions expressly set forth herein for termscontained in such claims shall govern the meaning of such terms as usedin the claims. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature,advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim shouldlimit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawingsare, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than arestrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for improving tag associations of media content through community based ratings, comprising: organizing, at a central server, predetermined descriptive labels in a predetermined hierarchical structure and sending the predetermined descriptive labels in the hierarchical structure to client devices, the client devices configured to utilize the hierarchical structure in user interfaces for associating video content items with one or more of the predetermined descriptive labels; receiving a user selection, from a user, creating a first association between a first description label of the predetermined descriptive labels and a first video content item; storing ratings data, received from a first plurality of other users, specifying ratings of associations between the predetermined descriptive labels and the video content items, wherein the first video content item is associated with multiple descriptive labels, and the first association between the first video content item and the first description label having multiple ratings associated with different user identifiers; responding to requests for video content information with metadata describing video content items identified based on the requests, received from a second plurality of other users, the metadata including particular description labels selected for the identified video content items based on the ratings data; and updating the ratings data responsive to ratings inputs associated with certain user identifiers, the ratings inputs indicating new ratings of certain associations between certain description labels and certain video content items including the first association.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the video content items include distinct segments of a same video program.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein responding to the requests includes responding to a particular request for information about a particular video content item specified in the particular request based at least on: identifying average ratings of particular associations between the particular video content item and each of a plurality of the description labels; selecting the particular description labels from the plurality of the description labels based on the average ratings.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein responding to the requests includes responding to a particular request for information about a particular video content item specified in the particular request based at least on: identifying average ratings of particular associations between the particular video content item and each of a plurality of the description labels, the particular associations selected based on being associated with user identifiers in a particular group of user identifiers that includes a particular user identifier associated with the particular request; selecting the particular description labels from the plurality of the description labels based on the average ratings.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein responding to the requests includes responding to a particular request for information about a particular video content item specified in the particular request based at least on: identifying quality scores of particular associations between the particular video content item and each of a plurality of the description labels, the quality scores being functions of at least particular ratings stored for the particular associations, the particular ratings weighted based on reliability scores of corresponding user identifiers with which the particular ratings are associated; selecting the particular description labels from the plurality of the description labels based on the quality scores.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein responding to the requests includes responding to a particular search request based at least on identifying a particular video content item whose average ratings with respect to a particular description label specified in the particular search request meet a certain threshold.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the ratings inputs include a particular input indicating a user selection of thumbs up button with respect to a particular association between a particular video content item and a particular descriptive label.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising sorting the particular description labels for a given request of the requests based on the ratings data.
 9. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions for improving tag associations of media content through community based ratings that, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause performance of: organizing, at a central server, predetermined descriptive labels in a predetermined hierarchical structure and sending the predetermined descriptive labels in the hierarchical structure to client devices, the client devices configured to utilize the hierarchical structure in user interfaces for associating video content items with one or more of the predetermined descriptive labels; receiving a user selection, from a user, creating a first association between a first description label of the predetermined descriptive labels and a first video content item; storing ratings data, received from a first plurality of other users, specifying ratings of associations between the predetermined descriptive labels and the video content items, wherein the first video content item is associated with multiple descriptive labels, and the first association between the first video content item and the first description label having multiple ratings associated with different user identifiers; responding to requests for video content information with metadata describing video content items identified based on the requests, received from a second plurality of other users, the metadata including particular description labels selected for the identified video content items based on the ratings data; and updating the ratings data responsive to ratings inputs associated with certain user identifiers, the ratings inputs indicating new ratings of certain associations between certain description labels and certain video content items including the first association.
 10. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the video content items include distinct segments of a same video program.
 11. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein responding to the requests includes responding to a first request for information about a first video content item specified in the first request based at least on: identifying average ratings of first associations between the first video content item and each of a plurality of the description labels; selecting the particular description labels from the plurality of the description labels based on the average ratings.
 12. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein responding to the requests includes responding to a particular request for information about a particular video content item specified in the particular request based at least on: identifying average ratings of particular associations between the particular video content item and each of a plurality of the description labels, the particular associations selected based on being associated with user identifiers in a particular group of user identifiers that includes a particular user identifier associated with the particular request; selecting the particular description labels from the plurality of the description labels based on the average ratings.
 13. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein responding to the requests includes responding to a particular request for information about a particular video content item specified in the particular request based at least on: identifying quality scores of particular associations between the particular video content item and each of a plurality of the description labels, the quality scores being functions of at least particular ratings stored for the particular associations, the particular ratings weighted based on reliability scores of corresponding user identifiers with which the particular ratings are associated; selecting the particular description labels from the plurality of the description labels based on the quality scores.
 14. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein responding to the requests includes responding to a particular search request based at least on identifying a particular video content item whose average ratings with respect to a particular description label specified in the particular search request meet a certain threshold.
 15. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the ratings inputs include a particular input indicating a user selection of thumbs up button with respect to a particular association between a particular video content item and a particular descriptive label.
 16. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause sorting the particular description labels for a given request of the requests based on the ratings data.
 17. A system for improving tag associations of media content through community based ratings, comprising: a database configured to: organizing, at a central server, predetermined descriptive labels in a predetermined hierarchical structure and sending the predetermined descriptive labels in the hierarchical structure to client devices, the client devices configured to utilize the hierarchical structure in user interfaces for associating video content items with one or more of the predetermined descriptive labels; receiving a user selection, from a user, creating a first association between a first description label of the predetermined descriptive labels and a first video content item; and store, in the database, ratings data, received from a first plurality of other users, specifying ratings of associations between the predetermined descriptive labels and the video content items, wherein the first video content item is associated with multiple descriptive labels, and the first association between the first video content item and the first description label having multiple ratings associated with different user identifiers; a metadata server configured to: respond, using control circuitry of the metadata server, to requests for video content information with metadata describing video content items identified based on the requests, received from a second plurality of other users, the metadata including particular description labels selected for the identified video content items based on the ratings data; and update, using the control circuitry of the metadata server, the ratings data responsive to ratings inputs associated with certain user identifiers, the ratings inputs indicating new ratings of certain associations between certain description labels and certain video content items; and a plurality of video playback devices configured to send, using control circuitry of a respective video playback device of the plurality of video playback devices, the requests for video content information, display the responsive metadata, display user interfaces for collecting the ratings inputs, and send the ratings inputs.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the video content items include distinct segments of a same video program. 